Your Toolbox

Internships are central to the development of many International Studies students. They offer meaningful exposure to a wide variety of professional contexts, from business and finance to education and human rights. Student internships are of two types: academic, and non-academic.

An academic internship carries regular course credit, and is registered through and structured by the Macalester Internship Program. Academic internships are typically done in fall or spring semesters, though they can be done in January, and, with more limitations, during the summer. The Internship Program website at www.macalester.edu/internship provides all the information you will need.

Non-academic internships can also be done during the semester, but more frequently feature in a student’s summer program – either here in the Twin Cities, in one’s hometown, or in some other U.S. or world location. Non-academic internships do not carry course credit, and can certainly be arranged independently of the College at your own initiative. Still, our Internship Program office maintains a rich database of such opportunities, available at the same website noted above.

Internships also often play a role in a student’s study abroad program. Check with the Study Abroad office or website at the International Center for more guidance on that.

But what are the specifics of an International Studies internship?

Substantial internationalist aspect to the internship work I.S. faculty supervisor/sponsor Registration as INTL 621-624. The last digit specifies the number of credits Pass/fail grading only Two reflective essays to submit:

first, midway through your internship, 1500 words (roughly 4-5 pages) describing your work, what is going well, what is going less well, and what you are learning